Janice Marie Wise McGowan Muhammad was born in Cleveland, Ohio on 06/16/1959 as the fifth of nine children to Gwendolyn Georgina and Clifford Wise Sr.  Janice was an energetic and happy child who loved to read, play games, solve mysteries and ignite laughter in others. In fact, family members would describe Janice as an “amateur comedian” in response to her quick and witty humor.  Her humor and strong ability to carry a conversation would continue to be manifested throughout her life and serve as just a few of the many amazing attributes that Janice possessed.

One of Janice’s greatest attributes was her intelligence, which was exemplified through her numerous educational achievements and life-long educational prowess.  There wasn’t a period in her life that Janice did not seek to educate herself and help to educate others in any way that she could.  As a child, Janice attended Cleveland Public Schools, where as early as the 1^st grade she was enrolled in advanced and enrichment classes.  She continued on this path and subsequently graduated with honors from John Adams High School at the age 16 years old.  Although Janice enrolled in Wilberforce University immediately after High School, she began to display her most recognizable attribute, which is her ability to sacrifice herself for others.  In this case, Janice began the journey of motherhood, and subsequently put her pursuit of further education on hold; however she never gave up on her educational dreams.  After mastering the art of motherhood, Janice re-engaged in her pursuit of higher education in 2007.  In 2009, Janice graduated Summa Cum Laude from Cuyahoga Community College, and she enrolled in John Carroll University, where she subsequently obtained a Bachelor of Arts Degree and subsequently a Master’s Degree in Sociology.  In addition, Janice graduated as a member of the oldest academic honor society in the United States of America, “Phi Beta Kappa.”